Tuesday, 31 August 2010

I have had a busy day today...firstly I had to take my car for its MOT !! to be honest I was expecting it not to pass..but I was hoping that it would !!

So around lunchtime, I got a phone call...to say the car was ready.....and it passed !! excellent. One less thing to worry about...

Then this afternoon....when I came back. I decided to have a look at the hay...!! we have had another lovely sunny day for a change. I decided to start and row it up. I spoke to the contractors and I have them booked in for tomorrow...after dinner. I need a head start on them as they don't hang about.

I have rowed up the 3 acre...and I have also rowed up the hill...which is about 5 plus. Unfortunately..I was running low on diesel and I have tonight checked the other 6 acre field. It was really wet yesterday when I was turning it, however....I thought that I'd have to turn this again, but after taking a look...I think that it will row up tomorrow..all being well. I have a little bit of diesel left to be getting on with. I have placed my order and was told that it would be here today or tomorrow...so it better arrive....tomorrow !!

I have a little spare..and I'm hoping that the contractors are going to bring me 5 gallon in a container..I have left !....I hope he sees it....or I shall be out !!

So tonight we are rowed up and ready to rumble...........

Watch out for those bales..............of Hay tomorrow !!

It is actually better than I had thought it would be....after the torrential rain last week !!.....

I have been subject to 2 days of torrential rain....showers..that would make Niagara Falls look like a mini waterfall !!

The weather has got a split personality...lately...as I type the rain has been lashing down....and now the sun is shining....what is going on....I ask myself

I am staying positive...no point just clouding the situation any further...I shall get something I am determined....so once again...its a case of waiting...for the fields to dry...and then who knows...

Just as well that I have more than enough land to graze my animals on over the winter..and that the hay supply is more of a top-up, however if we get lots of snow..like last year..that is when the stocks..rapidly diminish !

So...they say it never rains..but it pours..and boy its been raining......there has to be a break in the clouds. I am hoping for that dry bright spell...just long enough to be able to 'Go for it '.

So the moral of the story is.....Think positive....and positivity will follow....we will not stick !

I have had..tears...tantrums...and negativity...breakdowns......both me and the tractor...had our moments.....the diesel pipe ruptured...and I just....had a moment of weakness !!...over the last couple of days...so I'm now moving on to.....Positivity !!

I shall succeed..with something....sooner or later....I am determined, and where there's a will...there's a way........

Just in the process of finding...it !! it might be a little soggy...but....Im....not giving up just yet !!

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

I am waiting..for the land to dry out..after the torrential rain over the past couple of days...we were forecast..the possibility of showers..not....the downpour...that we did get.

So its a case of waiting for the land to dry....maybe all being well I shall be able to get on the fields by Friday...and start again.....I'm hoping to still get hay. Things are not lost just yet..as the grass is still a good colour and providing we have dry weather..all will be ok !

If not then its a case of plan.....'Z'....just get something..that resembles...something to feed over the winter......and make a decision to turn it into haylage...before all the nutritional value is lost !!

So its a case of waiting...and hoping....that the weather 'Gods' are not going to dump another quantity of rain here....at least for a few days...maybe that is expecting far too much..after all........a dry summer-time...in Scotland....we'll that's unheard of isn't it !!

Monday, 23 August 2010

This haymaking lark...is..just too traumatic ! Never mind...its has been light showers to rain this afternoon. However the forecast is not good..and its showing pretty much the same tomorrow..fine on Wednesday..but there is no way that the hay will dry out in one day !

Unless anyone knows of a massive hairdryer ! I can borrow !! Then yes you guessed it rain..again Thursday !...so its not looking great....

I want the forecast to be wrong ! and I need at least 3 dry days ! to catch up.....

What's the betting that isn't going to happen. If all else fails and the forecast is right...I too shall be having it made into haylage ! I don't want to, but its better than being left with nothing to feed over the winter.

Good hay is going to be like 'hens teeth'......I can't afford to end up with nothing...so I'll keep you posted on how we get on and what I decide to do.

But for the here and the now...its a case of just waiting to see...but I can't wait forever !!

Sunday, 22 August 2010

I have two tynes on the tractor at this point ! Haggis and Dougal have ring side seats...again !!

Pacosha and Duke....checking out the pending hay !

Today..is Sunday, it has been dry up to now.....and quite sunny, however, the storm clouds are gathering !!

I hope that they will just roll on bye....and don't scupper my plans too much ! When I was turning the field..this afternoon..I noticed that I was missing something ! I have lost one of my tynes off the front loader in the 3 acre field. I have looked for it..whilst turning the hay, however I haven't been able to find it.

I shall have to remember, if I don't find it before baling up to tell the contractors. No doubt when I'm not looking..it will turn up !!

After turning the hay, I went out into the field to have a look at the girlies..they all came over to me to say hello ! I took a couple of photos of today's events. I was accompanied by a little helper or two.....the Buzzards were watching me and decided to drop in and see if there was anything on the menu for tea.....I managed to get a distant photo of one soaring on the thermals.....as it flew off when I parked the tractor...I might be able to get a better photo another day.... The Buzzards are usually around for baling time !

I hope the nasty weather stays away....long enough, just another couple of days would do.

I have to re-check Pacosha tonight, I have them in and I will be flushing out her abscess, a little later on this evening. So that's phase two completed......!!

Saturday, 21 August 2010

Haggis and Dougal....just enjoying the view !!..there is a crow..on the tree in the distance !!

Just finished .......same again tomorrow...providing the weather is kind !!

It has been a glorious day today....and phase one..is complete !

The first....turning of the hay..has been successfully completed. I had a bit of a slow start, as I had only done about 40 yds and I had to return back to the....shed for a bit of an adjustment !

It took up most of the day, however it was quite..enjoyable...with no real disasters !! lets hope it stays that way. I have just seen the weather forecast..and guess what.....a mention of showers...but I'm hoping we might miss it. If so..then it will be same time tomorrow..for phase two !

A bit of an unsettled week.....but well you just have to chance it ! If we manage to miss the showers and it keeps warm and windy..then it should be turning into hay..after 4 days..if not and we get rain...then it will sit until dry ! Hopefully there are no real torrential..rain forecast...mind you they have been known to update/change it at the drop of a hat !

Pacosha is doing fine..she is behaving as normal and I have been watching her....today out in the field. I managed to take a couple of photos to record the moment....we'll why not.

Looking glamorous as usual....in my designer.....'workwear' ! Someday.....I will hang up my Cinderella's rags..and get all glammed up......for a special occasion...but till then..its just old Cinders..... Im afraid !!

Now where did I put that glass slipper !!!!!!!!!! Do they do wellies !!!!!!!!!!!!

All the fields have been cut....its just up to the weather 'Gods' to be kind to us now !!

Well...its all been happening tonight !

The fields have been cut, the contractor arrived at 6pm....tonight and he eventually finished cutting at 11pm ! He has cut 3 fields....approx 15 acres....so I'll have my work cut out for the next week...or so.

So .... the deed has been done, no going back now. There is a weather forecast for sunshine and showers....!! but we might miss them. However, there is rain forecast for Tuesday here. This means the hay might be left till after Tuesday, before I start to work it !

At least the cutting is done, and if it rains heavy, you just can't get on the fields..for a couple of days at least. This could mean the difference between, getting the stuff baled..or not ! So we are just ready and waiting...for the big...'Go'

Needless to say...I'm checking the Internet..daily, hourly....or even...at every minute..to see if the crafty weathermen..have slipped a rainy day in there..just to scupper my plans !!

I don't mind a little shower or two...but I do mind a down pour for days on end.....

Pacosha has had her abscess flushed out, she now has a new poultice....and dressing on it. So we are back to doing this every day, until the poultices are clean......so it looks like a busy couple of days.....up here....weather pending.

Friday, 20 August 2010

Its nasty....but hopefully...it will heal..now, if we get the infection..out. Just glad it wasn't anything else !!

Just a quick update on Pacosha...as its getting late and I have my chores to do !!

Well the vet came tonight...and had a look at Pacosha's lump. After a little investigation, it was determined that it was an abscess....and it has been lanced !

So the photos are a bit gruesome.....but at least its nothing else..like a tumor, I was a bit worried....all I have to do now is keep it open and flush out the infection...and of course, keep it poulticed....she has had some antibiotics and she appears to be as usual....

And finally...........the contractors are coming tonight to cut my HAY !!....I have decided to go for it....after driving myself mad..with the weather reports.....there is a little forecast..of showers...showing for the next week...but we might miss them !!

Here's hoping !!....after all the last couple of days have been.....good haymaking weather...and whats the saying...........'He who dares wins'.... I hope to win my hay crop for the winter....

Thursday, 19 August 2010

A beautiful sunset, the boys are just in the bottom of the picture...waiting to come in !...no chance on such a lovely evening !!

The Bees.....enjoying the garden !

The Butterflies....enjoying the Budleah....

The girls this afternoon.....relaxing..!!

This is exactly how I feel............Today....I got my fleece samples back.....and they weren't quite what I had expected..and I eventually got my Decree Absolute !! ....saying no more on that !! .....So what a day..........and on top of all that I have the vet hopefully coming in the morning to look at Pacosha....her what I thought...to be an abscess...isn't responding to the treatment..so I'm hoping that the vet can shed some light on this lump...under her chin. I have been poulticing it now for over a week...and nothing has happened...it is not bothering her, and I'm beginning to wonder if it is an abscess at all...Anyway...back to the fleece...tests.....Im perplexed to say the least...I have a bit of a dilemma...who I thought would provide what.....we'll I was wrong !....and if I hadn't of prepared the samples myself...and watched them being sheared...I wouldn't have believed it !!Thankfully, I only have one grey..so no problem there...and one black..so that wasn't the problem either... The dilemma..is between my White/Spotted girl Zienna and Barnacre Duke !!..Mind you he is a creamier white...and Zienna...carries more mixed colours..as she is actually spotted more than you think...you can see more spots after she has been sheared.So......the samples are as follows:- ( I have even rang and spoke to them tonight...to confirm these results..) Zanzibah Zeto....................(Grey) 21.7 Mean, SD 4.7, CV 21.6% Comfort factor of 95.8%I am really quite chuffed with his results.....as you know he is a lovely colour...and he is home bred....... I have repeated this mating again this year to see if he is a one off....fluke !! He was also my top.....blanket yield...for this year, between the babies...!!Zanzibah Zullulah .....(Black/White) 28.0 Mean, SD 7.6, CV 27.0% Comfort factor of 67.0%Zanzibah Zienna ....(White/Multi) 18.3 Mean, SD 4.7, CV 25.4% Comfort factor of 98.0%Barnacre Duke...(Solid White) 25.7 Mean, SD 6.4, CV 24.8% Comfort factor of 80.9%I am really quite surprised...at these results......infact...Im a bit...confused.com !!Just as well....I actually spoke to the lady on the phone tonight..as I had..my own, idea as to who gave what...and it wasn't correct !! Thankfully..we matched the samples up with the BAS Reg. No..so no confusion there !!Today..I was in the garden and the Budleah is in full bloom...so I decided to take a couple of photos..of the Butterflies...and the Bees...enjoying their time on the Budleah.....And to round off this....mixed bag of emotions....there has been a wonderful sunset...so I also decided to take a picture of that !!....to cheer me up and remind me....why I live here...!!Here's hoping that tomorrow brings...a much brighter day.....I'm trying to look forwards....not backwards...!!Still.....got grass...and no hay !...and the weather has been lovely..today..but they forecast rain tomorrow......I could just about....give up....with this summer....well I think...it has been summer !! ;-(

Sunday, 15 August 2010

The girls.....we are still waiting for a longer dry spell ... maybe next week ! I've said that before !

We are still....treating Pacosha's abscess ...

A work in progress...a few things to finish off !

What a week....indeed !

Not just for me every body ...there has been some really testing times...by the sound of things. Just reading other blogs....the difficult birth at Wellground and the rejection issues at Patouland ! These alpacas really do test our emotions !

I had a surprise visit last Thursday, I was sitting having a cup of tea and the doorbell rang ! I thought to myself....who could that be ! I never get any visitors !...and if you knew where I live....I don;t get many people passing by either !! So I went to the door ! What a surprise...it was my Mam and Dad.....!! They had decided to surprise me..with a visit ! what a lovely thought...and all that way !!

My Dad had an agenda....mind you...there are always jobs...to do ! and this time was no exception to the rule ! I'm sure most people will already know...that I am waiting to hay-make......I am still waiting..so it wasn't that !

It was a big job..indeed.. !! To cut a very long story short....A couple of years ago, a certain person thought it would be a good idea to have a huge Multi-Stove fitted....instead of using the oil central heating as much ! However...this certain person is no longer here to work after the said stove...and I just could not do all the heavy work required to fuel this stove ! The lifting of logs...the chopping of wood the carrying of lots of baskets of wood. Now that all the logs have been chopped I would have to buy wood in and pay for the pleasure of doing all that extra work ! So I decided it had to go ! This stove has cost thousands of pounds...but my health and the work.....was just too much for one person...to do ! along with all the other farming chores...etc ! So last week we have removed the Stove. It was sold, it was taken out on Friday...and we have been busy putting a new LPG Gas Stove in its place...!! I can just come in and light the fire...no mess....and it will make my life easier...which is the plan. I have been busy tiling the hearth...and most of the week has been taken up with that job !

The Hunter LPG Stove is up and running and its great !! Apart from that..last winter, I had a power cut for days...I had no heating as the other stove was fitted to the pump ! and you can't use it with no electric ! So that was another reason for going for this type of heating, at least if that happens..you have one warm cosy room !!

We had a few alterations...to do...but nothing that the angle grinder and a bit of muscle...couldn't sort out...and yes..we did have at one point...what I thought might be a nice..indoor water feature !!!.... Thankfully...it wasn't a permanent thing ! .... ;-0) There is still a bit of finishing off to do....but the main jobs are done. My parents have left today.....back home for a rest....like Arnie....'They'll be back..when the hay is made, to give me a hand...to put it in the buildings...for the winter......if I ever gat any made !!

I am still treating Pacosha..and her abscess...we have been poulticing it for days now...and it is beginning to soften......although it is taking some bursting !! But she is also on some homeopathy tablets..as of Friday...to help speed it along to burst ! I think that it should be well on its way by the middle of the week !

A brief mention....I'm watching the weather forecast....after Tuesday...we might be going to 'risk' the haymaking...at this rate.....the snow will be here if we don't get a move on !!

Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Pacosha, with her poultice ! The baby Starlings ! Im hoping this does the trick ....to soften the abscess ....

The Starlings...that decided to rest on the electric wires !!....just look at the clouds !!....where's summer gone !!

On Sunday morning, I happened to look out of the window....and I couldn't help notice...huge amounts of birds..sitting on the electric wires....! So I got my camera out and took a couple of photos...if there was one..there must have been a hundred !! It turned out that they were baby Starlings! I've never seen so many in one go.

Today, I decided to take some action against Pacosha's abscess !! I have been watching it for a couple of weeks now. It has got bigger but doesn't seem to be wanting to burst....so I decided it was time to put a poultice on it, to try and soften it and draw the infection. It is better if they burst naturally as, the infection then is pushed out, if you burst it yourself ...you can sometimes push the infection deeper !!...I was hoping it would have burst by now..but obviously not !!

Pacosha is not the easiest of girls to deal with....she goes mental at the sight of a halter, and she has a hell of a kick....I know this...as she caught me fare and square one day....which made me feel really quite sick ! Huge bruise and lump later...I thought....I'd not forget that in a hurry !!

So..the plan was to catch her, without getting kicked....clip the under side of her chin...and poultice it with some....Magnesium Sulphate Paste, this will help draw and soften the abscess. Its good stuff, and you can get it from the Chemist !

I have bathed it to clean the area...and unfortunately as I'm on my own...I had to keep letting her go, as I couldn't tie her up. She was really quite good, mind you a did feel the wind...of a good kick..that thankfully missed me ...phew !! She has a kick like a horse !!

I have managed to do what I needed....so she is now....wearing a very fetching under the chin number. This will be left for at least 4 days..as its...well on, and it needs time to work...I'm hoping that this will do the trick...to burst the abscess....I can then...start the antibiotics....but I really need to get the infection out....first.

I shall keep you posted as to how we get on....I've got some good tape on it and I'm hoping that it stays put !....until I want to remove it.

Meanwhile Pacosha..is eating and really quite happy in herself....so I don't think it is bothering her too much !

Sunday, 1 August 2010

Every time I spot a dry spell....on the Internet.....someone just updates it and shows a spell of rain !!

I've called off the cutting of the fields....twice already...and after reading the weather today...updated this morning...it looks like it going to be a third !!!!

If it doesn't change...I shall be cancelling the contractors..for tomorrow.

I have also been doing more match making..this weekend ... the good news is two out of the four girls mated last week 'spat-off'. Surprisingly, it was Zakhura...who's first date was with Zanubis...!! Looks like that has been a successful dating. Young love eh!! and Tremona my dark fawn girl, she had a date with Zaninni !!..as a trial match, looks like he is all in working order...after his injury ....so that's fantastic news.

It was a case of 'love me long time' for the rest of the boys.....now I know its nice to be romanced, but does it really need to take all afternoon !! Zorba was in no hurry he must have been on the job for nearly an hour !! If Aymara isn't pregnant after two dates with him..then I think it will be fare to say ..she is no longer breeding !

Now, onto Minstrel, !!!! Some people already know Minstrel, she is a 'girl with an attitude' ..to say the least.....I had a planned pairing for her with Zerquo !!....He is, new to all this stuff !..I told him as I lead him to his date..that 'He needed to MAN UP !' She will not take kindly to 'whus' on the job !!

I had feared that this might put him off ladies....for good...She 'Spat...and She Spat ! at his....advances !!

He tried to 'whoo' her and she was having...none of it, bless him...he did try ! After about 15 mins of chasing her round...I decided to leave it..for today. I decided to move on to see if anyone else was in the mood !! After I had managed to do all the matings, I had planned...I thought I'd give him a another try ! to see if her mood had changed !

I must admit..I wasn't hopeful ... but guess what....she must have changed her mind and fancied a 'Toy Boy' ! She decided to behave and Zerquo managed to 'whoo'..his lady !!

About Me

Zanzibah Alpacas was founded in 2006, with a small group of males as a special birthday present !..Needless to say, caught the 'Alpaca Bug' and we have quickly grown in numbers due to the charismatic nature of these fascinating animals.
I have sourced my animals from both large established breeders and smaller private breeders, to establish my award winning multi-coloured herd.
With Bloodlines from
Purrumbete Ledgers Boy (Elite Australian Genetics)
Classical Ikon (American Peruvian Champion)
Bozedown Viscount (Elite Australian Genetics)
Jolimont Conquistador (Elite Peruvian Genetics)
Cambridge Buckingham
Jolimont Commisario (Elite Peruvian Genetics)
Silverstream Czar of Anzac (Elite Aus/Peruvian Genetics)
We specalise in Coloured and 'Fancy' Alpacas. Follow us on our Alpaca Adventure....Zanzibah Alpacas where the Future is Fine 'n' Fancy !! .. .. .. ..
Seriously considering a life with alpacas !
Come and see us,we might just have what you are looking for ..
You can contact us at
Zanzibahalpacas@aol.com
Visits by appointment only.